TASVG holds National Junior Championships this weekend

Team Athletics SVG (TASVG) will, this Saturday and Sunday, host the National Junior Championships at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex; however, the planned monetary incentives for record-breaking performances has been shelved.

Initially, TASVG had offered a $50 incentive to athletes who would have broken national records. The incentive was intended to encourage athletes to strive to be more competitive and raise the standard of the championships.

But, the payment of athletes at this level of amateur status is forbidden by the governing body of the sport – the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

A release from TASVG general secretary Tyrone James last Sunday noted, “Please note that the offer of monetary prizes for the breaking of records has been removed in consideration to maintaining the athletes’ amateur status”.

TASVG, in its effort to streamline the event, has made some stipulations in reference to athletes’ attire.

According to the manual issued for the championships, “Athletes are to be properly attired in their teams’ uniform, failing which they may not be permitted to compete in the event.

“Athletes wearing the national uniform of St Vincent and the Grenadines (wholly or part) will not be allowed to participate in any event, except where prior approval is given by Team Athletics St Vincent and the Grenadines. Athletes wearing the uniform of a foreign country will not be allowed to participate in the event,” the manual emphasized.

Additionally, according to the manual, “coaching on the track and/or field is prohibited. Team officials, including coaches or athletes, found doing so may result in the disqualification of the athlete. Athletes are also not permitted on the track or the centrefield, except when participating in an event”.

The championships, which will be used as a trial for the Carifta Games, is open to all athletes who have not attained the age of 20 years and are above the age of 13 years in the year of competition.

Athletes contesting the Under-16 age group must be born in 2002 and 2003, and those in the Under-18, 2001 and 2002.

Meanwhile, competitors in the Under-20, must be born in 1998 and 1999 and for the open events, between 1998 and 2002.

Competition will be in the flat races: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m and 5,000m.

TASVG also plans to have 110m hurdles events, as well as the 4 x 100m and the 4 x400m.

The field events listing sees the high jump, long jump, triple jump, as well as the shot put, javelin and discus.

The two-day championships are set to run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.